What I Hope to Learn in My 20s

I’m in the early part of my 20s when I am not really sure what in the world I am doing with my life. I am learning something new everyday and and growing at exponential rates both personally and professionally. There is so much to learn and as I am learning, I am figuring out how much I actually don’t know…which leads to what I want to learn during my 20s.

1. How to manage my own money

This one is really scary for me. Throughout all my business course in college, and everything I’ve tried to understand, managing my own money is still terrifying. Figuring out how to save for retirement, pay off my college loans, save money for emergencies, and still spend money on travel and my life in New York… It’s all so much and can feel so overwhelming. I want to learn how I can be confident in my ability to manage my spending, saving, and feel completely in control.

2. How to maintain an actual capsule wardrobe

This is something I feel like I have been working on for a while, but I am still so far away from. I realized at the start of college that my entire wardrobe was statement pieces…This may have worked when I was a kid and mostly ran around in my track uniform, but trying to rock business casual in New York when all you owned was hot pink was not going to work. Over the past few years I’ve been piecing together some sturdy basics that will last me a while and investing in a lot of neutral colors so that almost everything will match. I still have a long way to go, but I’m working on it.

3. Who are the friends that I want to keep around forever

I’m pretty lucky that I’ve had a solid group of friends since high school and I love them so deeply, and I know they are stuck with me forever. But since moving to New York, I’m still trying to figure out who some of those people are on this side of the country. I have a handful of people who I love dearly and know that I need to invest more time and love into, and then there are some people who I want to be there for me, but I’m just not sure if they are in the right place to. It’s a hard spot to be in when everyone around me is in such a huge transition period in their lives, so I’m giving it until the end of my 20s to figure out who my die hard friends are out here in New York.

4.How much traveling during the year is the right amount

Especially in the past year, I have become obsessed with traveling. I didn’t get to travel all that much when I was younger, but now that I am making my own money and I am in charge of my own life, I am getting out as much as I possibly can. This involve a lot of strategic thinking that I have never really had to go through before. This includes a lot of money saving, time off planning, and overall organization. I’m working on figuring out how to fit all the places I want to visit into the life that I have fallen in love with in New York.

5. What face wash I should really be using

This sounds so simple, but some]how have I not figured this out! Every time I think I’ve found the one I end up figuring out that there is an ingredient that is too harsh, or not harsh enough, or that I should be using something else. The world of skin care is really a giant maze and I am determined to figure at least a small portion of it out.

6. How to properly meal prep and bring food to work

I didn’t realize how hard the simple task of feeding myself would be until I was off on my own. I need to eat foods that will fuel me and help me become a stronger runner and athlete, but I also don’t want to give up my favorite foods, like bread and ice cream. And that doesn’t even begin to think about how expensive food can be and how to properly grocery shop for one person… It’s a lot harder than it looks, and if you are struggling, you are not alone.

7. Where should I live in the end

This is a huge struggle for me, and I worry about it a lot more than I should. I grew up in San Diego, California and I love it there. So much. The beautiful homes and beaches, my childhood was there. The best mexican food is there. But I have come to realize that the San Diego that I know and love doesn’t exist anymore. The friends that make my time worthwhile don’t live there anymore, and neither do I. Now, I love New York, adore it actually. It is truly the greatest city in the world. I am so thankful everyday that I get to live here. But wow is this place stressful sometimes. Do I really want to be here forever? This topic is too much for me now, so I am going to be saving it for another day in another year, hopefully as part of my 20s.

8. How to pick an outfit that actually goes from day to night

The hardest decision I have never quite answered correctly, “How can I pick out an outfit that will look appropriate at work, but will also work for evening activities (parties/date night/taco Tuesday/whatever floats your boat)?”. This is the ultimate question that I am still working on. If I ever figure it out, I’ll be sure to let you know.

9. An updo hairstyle that will last an entire day and still look nice

Have you ever tried to make an updo look cute, but by the end of the work day it’s just full of frizzies sticking everywhere? Once I figure out how to fix that without emptying an entire can of hairspray on my head, I’ll let you know.

10.Where should I actually go for Taco Tuesday in New York

How can the greatest city in the world actually have such a weak taco game?? If you know if an amazing taco spot please let me know. (Los Tacos Numero Uno is the current champion).

 

❤ Nikki